Creamy Cajun Shrimp & Cheese Tortellini
Recipe: #10579
September 20, 2013
Categories: Shrimp, Italian, Sunday Dinner, No Eggs, Fresh Tomatoes, Frozen Vegetables, Heavy Cream, Spicy, Italian Dinner, more
"Easy and delicious. For this dish, you really want to cook your own shrimp - I don't suggest the pre-cooked shrimp for this recipe. This dish has a little spice, but not too hot; and, tons of flavor. The corn adds a nice sweetness; and, the tomatoes, start to break down to create a sauce. Serve along side a fresh melon or fruit salad."
Original is 3-4 servings
Ingredients
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- SHRIMP
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- FOR SAUCE
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- Garnish:
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Nutritional
- Serving Size: 1 (427.9 g)
- Calories 808.1
- Total Fat - 68.4 g
- Saturated Fat - 24.9 g
- Cholesterol - 234.1 mg
- Sodium - 896 mg
- Total Carbohydrate - 17.2 g
- Dietary Fiber - 2.8 g
- Sugars - 2.8 g
- Protein - 31.3 g
- Calcium - 197.1 mg
- Iron - 1.7 mg
- Vitamin C - 15.3 mg
- Thiamin - 0.3 mg
Step by Step Method
Step 1
Shrimp ... Remove the shrimp from the refrigerator or freezer. If frozen, make sure to thaw over a colander, so they don't sit in water as they thaw. Pat dry using a paper towel, and season on both sides; and, let them rest so they are close to room temperature. You never want to cook with COLD food.
Step 2
Bring a saute pan to medium high to high heat, and add a little oil, 2 teaspoons should be plenty, depending on the pan. Add the shrimp, and saute quickly. When the shrimp begin to curl and start to turn pink ... they are done. DO NOT over cook them. They only take 3-4 minutes. They will go back in the sauce right before serving to warm up. Shrimp can and will get rubbery if over cooked. Remove from the pan to a small bowl, and cover to keep warm.
Step 3
Sauce ... In the same pan you cooked the shrimp in, add a bit more oil, you may have some left from the shrimp; and, that is fine. Add the onion, peppers (see the NOTE below), jalapeno, and garlic; and, saute on medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring often. Add the tomatoes, corn, and cajun/blackening seasoning, and cook another 3 minutes. Then, add the half and half, season with salt if necessary; and simmer, on medium low heat until the sauce reduces a bit, another 3-5 minutes. This is a good time, as the sauce simmers to start your tortellini.
Step 4
Note: I keep a bag of diced peppers in my freezer. It is a mix of green, red, yellow and orange; I don't blanch, prep, or anything. Simply dice and freeze. It is perfect to use in recipes such as this. But, you can really use any bell pepper you want.
Step 5
Tortellini ... Cook the tortellini according to package directions in plenty of salted water.
Step 6
Finish ... Once the tortellini is done; drain, and add to the creamy sauce. Add the shrimp as well; and, toss to combine. Add the cilantro or parsley, season if necessary; and, it's done.
Step 7
Serve and ENJOY! ... Delicious, creamy; and, pretty easy to prepare. Great to serve with a simple fruit salad. Crusty bread is also nice to serve with this.
Tips
No special items needed.
Editorial Notes
The ingredient tips, suggestions, variations, facts, questions and answers below are not edits to the original author's recipe. They are not meant to imply any change would improve the recipe. They're offered for convenience, alternative ideas, and points of interest. If you have any comments about them, please post in the Help & Ideas forum.
- Make sure to buy extra large shrimp for this recipe, as they will cook quickly.
- If you don't have fresh bell peppers, you can use a frozen mix of diced peppers for convenience.
- Instead of grape tomatoes, use diced Roma tomatoes. The Roma tomatoes have a thicker flesh and a richer flavor, which will help to add more depth to the sauce.
- Instead of Cajun seasoning, use Italian seasoning. The Italian seasoning will provide a more mild flavor than the Cajun seasoning, but still give the dish a nice flavor.
Vegetarian Variation Replace the shrimp with 1/2 cup of cooked lentils and 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa. Omit the Cajun seasoning and jalapeno pepper, and add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the sauce.
Fruit Salad: A fresh fruit salad is a great accompaniment to this dish. The sweetness of the fruit will balance out the spice of the Cajun seasoning, and the crunch of the salad will contrast nicely with the creamy texture of the tortellini. Plus, it's a healthy option that will provide a nice contrast with the heavier pasta dish.
Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables are a great way to add some freshness to the meal. They can be cooked quickly and easily on the grill, and they will provide a nice contrast to the creamy texture of the tortellini. Plus, the smoky flavor of the grilled vegetables will complement the Cajun seasoning in the dish.
FAQ
Q: What type of shrimp should I use for this recipe?
A: Use fresh, extra-large shrimp that have been peeled and deveined with the tails removed. Avoid pre-cooked shrimp for this recipe.
Q: How long should I cook the shrimp?
A: Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they turn pink and are cooked through. Overcooking the shrimp will make them tough and chewy.
2 Reviews
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Fun facts:
The tortellini pasta used in this recipe is originally from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. It is a popular dish that is often served on special occasions or holidays.
The use of Cajun seasoning in this recipe has its roots in the Cajun culture of Louisiana, which is a combination of French, Spanish, African, and Native American influences.